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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERK 



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Soft ! now, methinks, a kind consenting mood 
Inclines the gentle Spirit of the Wood — 



HALIMAH 



A LEGEND OF THE TANGIPAHOA 






or Nf^DGDEN 






NEW ORLEANS 
1891 



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Entered according to Act of Congress in the year iSqt, 

V>\ L. (jKAHAM A; Son, 

III the office of the Lihrarion of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



PRKbS OF 

L. GRAHAM &• SON, 

NEW ORLEANS. 



PREiF^AOE. 



;^ 



Tlie subject presented to tl^e public it] tliis little 
volurqe vjas suggested to tl^e aut^^or during a resi- 
dence at flrnite City, tl^e beautiful suburban town 
lying alrriost Upon t-l^e banks of tlie Tangipalioa River,, 

Rernnatits of ti^e aboriginal Indian tribes linger 
tliere, preserving to a great extent. an\id tl\e n\arcl\ 
of civilization, tl^e prirnitive nqanners and liabits of 
tl^eir ancestry, Tlie weird spirit of tr\e past seerns 
still to breatl^e about tl^e flower-lit rnargins of ttie 
arrow-like silver strearns ttiat intersect t^is region.. 



Geograpl^ically, t]\e sceries are priricipally corT\- 
prised in ^t^at is corr\iT|or|ly KrioVi^ri as tl\e Florida 
Paris]:|es of Loiiisiaria. TYie irjVasioris of foreign ad- 
veritxirers are lr\istoricaI ar]d t\\eYe exists even qow) a 
tradition of rqineral wealtl^ concealed in tY\e pictu- 
resque trills. Tl)e title nan^e^ Halirnal], was obtained 
frorn a Ct\octa\V Indian still living. Tl)e volUrne is 
given 1"0 tY\e public rattier ^vitt] tl)e Y\ope tl)at it rnay 
attract abler exertions to a ricli province of rornance, 
tlian witl] any expectation of applause. 



CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 



THE INVOCATION, - 13 

HALIMAH, 2j 

THE VOYAGE, 37 

ARCOLA, ----...... 57 

FRONTISPIECE, - Wikstrom. 4 

The Spni't of the IVoods. 

ILLUSTRATION, ----... Wikstrom. 28 

The l4/ooiiig of Haliniah. 

MARINE SKETCH, Wikstrom. 40 

The yoj'age. 

ILLUSTRATION, - - - -' - . . Wilde ?o 

The Deserted Love. 

ILLUSTRATION, Wikstrom. 61 

The Exploration. 

ILLUSTRATION, - - - - . . . Wilde. 69 

The Spaniard's Story. 

ILLUSTRATION, - - --'... Wilde. 80 

The Combat. 

Head Piece to Halimah, Wilde. 21 

Tail Piece to Halimah, ---... Wilde. 33 

Head Piece to The Voyage, ..... Wilde. '37 

Tail Piece to The Voyage, ---... Wilde. 53 

Head Piece to Areola, Wilde. 57 

Tail Piece to Areola, - - Wilde. 83 

— 9 — 



TflE J^VOQ^TJOl^ 



THE INVOCATION 



Tell, TjJiisperiug Spirit of these fair retreats^ 
As softty echo your sad tate repeats 
Like tender nuir muring of a streaiutet near, 
Whose faint toiu music dies upon the ear; 
Tett, from the -voodtand seat and sytvan dett. 
What sacred memories in thy bosom dzoett ! 
7>anstate the mystery of the sitent gtades. 
Revive the pate Past's image ere it fades, 
Aiuake the mourning forest 's pri unit race, 
Repeopte solitude ivith tife and grace I 

]] hat time Tangipahoa from mountain source, 
Swetted thro" these haunts ivith hrimmino- crystal 
course — 

13 — 



Tritiiiipliaiif -looiind its cha/mcl to the tale, 
T/inr cro-viied hajihs of tree, and vine and hralce; 
Spurning each barrier to its foaming ivrath, 
O' erteaping here, and cteaving there a path, 
Titt congiierijig hitt, it broadens in the ptain. 
And pours ivitti tucid Jiood in Pontchartrain . 

What time the an tiered monarch of the icood 
S ecu ret y coo ted his hot flanh in t tie food. 
And panting, as tie paused in shattozc fo~u. 
Received a shaft, vjinged by the mortat bow — 
Beared high in air his proudty crested head. 
As took reproachfut from his gtance is sped — 
Then yietds in death unto the ruthtess tide. 
Empurpted by his redty ebbing side. 



Jl'hat time v:hen Aprit freshty ctad the ptain. 
The pompous turkey proudty ted his train, 

14 — 



And spreads to earth his pinions^ rustting fans^ 
And anioroiiSy every tempting female scans', 
He struts 7vith sounding vjings upon the hills, 
And passion vainly sivetls in blushing git/s. 
Sudden the savage marksman s eager sight 
Aims true the flashing arroiv'' s fatal flight', 
The feathery dart speeds on its cruel quest 
And quivers noju within the glossy breast — 
Stretched on the heath the gallant cock expires, 
His heart's blood quenching its ovon kindling 
fires. 

Or say., vjhere deeply tangling coverts pen 
The bear and panther in their gloomy den, 
Hoiv e'' en within these terror-bristling shades. 
In quest of sporty the savage foot invades; 
Surprising in their dangerous solitudes 
The grim co-partners of the primal luoods. 

15 



Ronsecf from retreats erst-ivhite to iiia/f loihuoivu^ 
Hedged by a wilderness with briar iipgrow)!^ 
The hardy forest sons, with eager face 
And savage gtee, att fed rt ess, start the chase. 
Breathless pursue the sullen, crafty prey. 
Till tracked remorseless to his desperate bay; 
There art, not strength, prevails at last to zcin. 
And decks the victor ivith the reeking skin. 

Say how, ere driven from his lonely boughs. 
Soothed by the towering pine tree'' s windy soughs. 
The bleak, bald eagle luatched his quarry fly — 
Then in pursuit wheeled thro' the yielding sky ; 
O'' ertopped the forest ' s pride, and shrieking loud. 
Burst like a thunderbolt athwart the cloud; 
Still presses sun-ward 7uith ajt unblenched sight 
And o'rasped the victim in empyrean light. 
Luckless the flight I a winged arrow fies. 
The nerveless talons drop their bleeding prize ^ 

16 — 



The soariffo- monarc/i, dead a?/d fallen //oiv, 
Is plucked to phi in e the Indian's ivarlike hnnv. 

Tell how and -vhitJiei\ exiled far to roam. 
The Pelican forsook her 7vonted hojne^ 
Yet not before a trait of nol^Ie mind 
Was left a legacy to hinnan kind. 
So when the escutcheon of vaij/giorions State 
Boasts pi'Of/dly mottoes of the Ynst and Great, 
The parent Bird appears with bosom -vrung. 
And breast transpierced to feed tier famished 
young-. 



Willi themes like these thy murmurous voice is 

fraught. 
If chance aright its echoes have been caught. 
Ah! no7t\ propitious touch the proffered chords, 
Wliich fain would tremble to thy mystic ivords! 



17 



Soft I noiv^ met /links ^ a kind conseufiug mood 
Inclines the gentte Spirit of the IJ^ood — 
J nth touches tight as dropping deivs she flings 
Her fairy fngers o^er the waking strings^ 
And. gentty as the notes 7vhich An gets hear. 
Floats her lueird jimsic on the ravished ear: 




18 



t^AI^lMAt^ 




HALIMAH 



Seekst thou to know when once these solemn pines 
Were reverent trimmed, as Nature's sacred shrines ; 
The ahiiost voiceless Past that haunts these glades, 
With ghostly cadences from sombre shades ; 
Wouldst music wake to its accustomed thrills, 
That now is scarce an echo on the hills? 
Or, wouldst the note of savage mirth or rage, 
To equal shock the sense of this nice age? 
Long since the crumbling altars perished lie, 
Where smoked the victim grateful to the sky ; 
Long since is hushed the tuneful choir of trees 
That gave full vocal tribute to the breeze. 



When Nature's worship, witli untutored pra3'er, 
Rose in its rude petition on the air. 
Art's temple, now reverberate with praise. 
Has drowned the feebler music of those days ; 
But ah ! not sweeter, truer worship rose 
From pealing organ as its anthem flows, 
Than from these nature-tuned exalting notes. 
Poured from the forest's myriad warbling throats. 
The vocal choir 's dissolved, but still the sprays 
Seem trembling where the songsters poiu'ed their lays 
And even vet some strao-orlino- minstrels cliniJ^ 
To the loved bough above the gurgling spring. 



Where Mandeville's white sands shine on the beach, 

Far as embracing waves caressing reach. 

And bear a tribute from the ocean cells 

To deck the shore with white and sculptured shells ; 

Still in the orange grove green o'er the lake. 

The mock-birds vet their scented tr^-sting make, 

— 22 



And hio-h and amorous on the balmy air. 
The rival songsters serenade the fair. 



To strains of rapture oft the contest thrills, 
And notes fantastic pour from mimic bills ; 
Demnre, coquetting on some odorous tree. 
The flattered female drinks the minstrelsy. 
And long bewildered in her loving choice, 
Selects the mate that charms the most with voice. 
And undeserting still, the spotted thrush, 
In some deep glen at evening's dreamy hush,. 
Mellifluent swells her yellow throat with song, 
That floats in tender tone the vales among ; 
Like some fair mourner, who with sacred breath, 
Chants low a funeral dirge at twilio-ht's death. 
Sad ! that the march of man's empire, ere long 
Will still the music of the forest's song; 
For when at last the savage realm 's subdued. 
He wrecks its minstrelsy and wins a solitude. 



23 



Too plain alas ! the doom of this retreat. 
Where long I've made ni}' consecrated seat, 
Nor envied proud Parnassus'' vocal shades. 
Content to loiter in these tranquil glades, 
Lulled by the scarce caught murmur of the streams 
That tiow with rill-like melody of dreams. 
Portentous echoes now from startled hill 
The scream of locomotive tierce and shrill ; 
With trampling fur}' and with fiery speed, 
His iron hoof -beats down the flower) mead ; 
With scorching breath from nostril smoking high, 
The thunderous monster madly rushes by. 
As if on Vulcan's anvil, frame and wheel. 
And nerve and sinew, had been forged of steel. 
The wondering savage and the quivering brute. 
Gaze on the prodig}', with fear struck mute : 
Well they foresee usurping Art's design. 
Their realm confiscate and their ended line — 
For now see commerce other handmaids charge 
The newl}' conquered province to enlarge. 

24 



The haughty steamer chmbs Tchefuncta's tide, 
And nobl}- plows a foaming pathwa}' wide ; 
And spurns the fragile fleet with billow}- force, 
That seeks to sta}- it on its conquering course. 
The natives watch her agents thread the pines 
And hang the sk)- w-ith long electric lines, 
Which hum o'erhead the m3'stic message sent, 
To traverse in a flash the continent. 
Startled — attend articulate whispers borne 
Across these wires breathed by telephone, 
As if the nimble sprites that people space 
Were winged by vivid lightning for the race. 

Ah ! these are signs which fatal truths convey — 
The Choctaw's empire \s doomed to pass away. 
Farewell the silence of his wide domain ! 
Farewell unchallenged haunt of hill and plain ! 
The wigwam peace, the log -piled fireside. 
Where proud at eve was dressed the famil}- pride ; 

25 — 



Where the swarth brow of the tall red-skin chief 
Found soothing solace when it ached with grief; 
Where meekly solemn sat with matron grace 
The pensive squaw won from the hostile race — 
Raped from the hut of some grim Chickasaw 
What time the woods rang with the savage war, 
And borne reluctant over hill and wave, 
To cheer the wigwam of the Choctaw brave ; 
Like Sabine maid, borne off a Roman wife, 
The tender nuptials bound in sanguine strife — 
Her yielding fancy, soothed its vain alarms, 
Foro^ets lost kindred in her warrior's arms. 

About the skin-dressed hearth at close of day 
The dusky forest children romp and play ; 
Hang listening, as some rude but graphic tongue 
Recounts the deeds of wars as yet unsung ; 
And as the tragic doom of tribes is told, 
The blood-red epic feeds the martial soul. 

26 



But in the group which breathless there attend 

Each thrilling story to its direful end. 

With brown cheek blanching and with heart -pulse 

wild. 
Shrinks tremulous the wigwam's maiden child. 
Her throbbino- bosom and the tear that stole 
Adown her cheek bespeak the tender soul — 
Proclaim that e'en where savage nature sways, 
Lost and perverted from the purer da}S, 
High virtues still the savage hut adorn 
And Mercy there survives when other gems are gone. 

The breath of twent}' springs with ripening warm 
Matured Halimah's tall but rounded form, 
And beauty clung about her like the dower 
Of her dark woodland home's deep blushing 

ilower — 
The red Camelia — whose pure scentless face 
Still native blooms in all unrivaled grace. 

27 — 






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Or had she in consenting nuptials sighed 

When Tchappapela's brave sued for a bride. * * 



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Her dark, luxuriant tresses wildly rolled 

As if their flow some frolie Grace controlled, 

And wanton round her nut-brown neck, and chased 

By amorous zephyrs, sport about her waist. 

The gentle orbs tho' now with tears bedewed. 

Know how to sparkle in the gayer mood ; 

Ne'er more brightly soft or softly bright the doe, 

Gazelle -eyed, darts her glances shy and low. 

Than as the trains of joyous fanc}^ wake. 

Her subtle spirits thro' these windows break ; 

Romp in her eye and dimple in her cheek. 

And from her luscious lips in laughter speak. 

As tho' their accents were decreed above 

To be the tuneful oracles of Love. 

Well might Chinchuba's wigwam, richly dressed 
And hospitably bright, attract the guest : 
And well might lusty braves of hill and plain 
At old Chinchuba's door their mustangs rein. 

29 — 



The viewless couriers that speed the fame 

Of beatity's marvels love to breathe lier name. 

Where soft Pearl River chants to echoing sound, 

And blue Biloxi's Ba}^ is girt around 

With high and fragrant banks, the rumor 's borne, 

Till beating hearts are trembling to its tone. 

Yet not o'er painted, when with partial praise 

Each charm it softly whispers, and portrays 

The magic of the form's voluptuous grace, — 

The perfume breathing from her rose - lit face, — 

The fragrance of the ripeh' swelling breast. 

As if sweet-olive there had late been pressed. 

And ah ! still more to nobl}- feed the flame. 

Her changing spirits as the}' went and came, 

Now tender as the calm of breathless seas. 

And rippling now like wavelets in a breeze. 

irV/// prelude thus the Spirit paused to hind 
A stj-(ro[(^-ti//o' tress that ivautoiied ivith the 7vi//d^ 

30 



And stilled the fluttering drapery of her limbs 
Whose breezy toilet some fond voood nymph trims. 
And like the bird that o?i some sheltered spray 
Eyes o^er and smoothes her feathery array., 
She calms her scattered robes to graceful res,t^ 
And breathing Jessainine fastens in her breast. 

Ah ! Mortal, sure your rapt expression well 
Denotes the force of 3'oung Halimah's spell. 
Her spirit charms us still from vacant bowers 
Like lingering odors of the vanished flowers. 

But no ! these chords should sound with happier 

themes 
To please the fancy of your Forest Dreams. 
Seek not to rend the misty veil of years 
Now closely drawn upon her smiles and tears ; 
Yea, let fond memory, which the scene surveys^ 
Recall her only in the halcyon days — 

31 



Ere the accursed hour the stranger came 

To make the sobbing wave bewail her name. 

To cause her eye to smile, her cheek to bloom, 
I fain must wake her from her lucent tomb, 
Where, hidden in the water)- depths, her soul 
Seems babbling still to ever)- pebbl}- shoal. 
Happy indeed had been her blameless life, 
'Mid changing seasons, as some young buck's wife; 
Oh ! had she listened when with ardent voice 
Abita's stalwart youth bade her rejoice ; 
Or had she in consenting nuptials sighed 
When Tchappapela's brave sued for a bride ; 
Or faithful had she kept the soft breathed vow 
Her young lips uttered neath the beechen bow. 
Ere parting sped Natalbany's tall lover, 
While watching birds approving sang above her. 
Blessed, and blessing still in wonted wild. 
She long had lived the petted forest child. 

32 



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And still maturing- into matron charm 
Had nursed young heroes in the rude wigwam, 
Till in the round mausoleum high and green 
Interred with all her tribe she left the scene. 
Yes, crowned her life had been with every joy 
Had not the Spaniard entered to destroy. 




33 



TflB VOY?\GB 




THE VOYAGE 



The polished Spaniard who forsook his land 
. To seek adventure on a foreign strand — 

Who, tired with thirst of Gold, all danger braves,. 
And trusts his bounding vessel to the waves. 
The brazen prow drives thro' Atlantic gate, 
Leaps in the Gulf with tilling sails elate ; 
Sails like the white gull, devious in its course. 
When on its wings a black squall spends its force — 
Tops foaming seas and spurns the wave with scorn ^ 
Till Ocean pinions flutter in Lake Borgne. 



37 



Now, whitenino- beach in lengthenino- line appears, 
Where eastward shine the shell-piled Chandeleiirs ; 
Then hastening past the brightly shining ba\-s. 
She glances thro' the narrow Rigolets, 
And clearing, anchors in a watery plain. 
As a proud conqueror of a new domain. 

High sounds the song triumphal, as it tills 

The air with echoes from saluted hills : 

High flows the bumper, as the sylvan view 

Awakes new transports in the pirate crew. 

The night, to slumber given, dawns with the light 

That brings a rising continent to sight. 

How welcome to tlieir eyes these coasts unfold. 

As if the kindly yielding realms of Gold : 

How tine to watch the tumbling porpoise play. 

And greedv sharks voracious cut their wav ; 

The leaping tarpon sun his silver sides. 

The tinnv shoals that vex the foaming tides ; 

38 



The crab float in his rugged emerald shell, 

And sidelong dart, with claw so blue and fell ; 

The speckled trout spring high to catch the fly, 

And spotted red-fish flashing swiftl}^ by. 

And then, the rapturous vision which expands 

All gently on the soft defining lands. 

And oh ! the thrill with which the sense is whirled, 

As in the growing landscape they salute a world. 

In the swarth ranks of the sun - beaten crew 

The pale commander towered — his eye of blue 

All strangely mingling a serener light. 

With darker rays that flash so fiercely bright. 

As foremost at the poop erect he stands. 

He looked the uncrowned king of the new lands. 

In the firm face, so tranquil yet so bold. 

Lit up by passion, which the will controlled. 

There shone the daring soul on conquest bent, 

That seeks a trophy in a continent. 

39 — 




X. f^ Oir:^ 



The Splashing Billows' foam shall burst 
Across our fearless prow — * * * 



And loudly as the wild huzzas now ring 
The}' bless the sceptre of their Pirate King ; 
And while the brimming cup high flows, the song 
Rolls echoing the sounding shores along. 

Let weak and timid pinions still 

Their feeble flight restrain, 
Content to skim the lowl}' hill, 

Or scour the stretching plain. 

The eagle soars where storm-clouds break, 

And revels in the roar ; 
Let little boats, ambitious, make 

A cruise about the shore. 

The splashing billows' foam shall burst 

Across our fearless prow — 
In unplowed seas we'll be the first 

To raise a dauntless brow. 

41 — 



Let others track illusive path 

That wrecks with rock and reef, 
We'll follow thro' the tempests' wrath 

Our brave intrepid chief, 

Who points our course unerring straight. 

Where leads his lucky star, 
Triumphant to the golden gate 

Of glittering Florida. 

Then quick dispersing, when again they toast 
The lucky Genius of the nearing coast. 
The snow}' tackle, with the east wind swelled. 
Obeys the helm that now is westward held. 

As evening shadows darken to their e^^es 
The expected shore, that gray before them lies, 
Sudden, as the}- steer, while scarce a furlong's reach 
Divides the bark from the advancino- beach. 



42 



The sky 's o'ercast — the hiboring vessel rocks 
With gusty touches of the equinox ; 
And frequent from the darkly clouded north 
The vivid lightning tiames and flashes forth. 
No flood pours from the heavy mantling cloud, 
No breaking thunders mutter deep or loud, 
But ever quick and momently the light 
Gives panoramic glimpses brief and bright — 
Yet snatched by darkness ere the eye can trace 
The mystic features of fair nature's face. 
Deciphered faintly, some titanic oak 
Seemed an immortal sentinel, that spoke 
A challenge to the haughty stranger band 
That fain would raise a standard on the land ; 
Caught thro' the wide and flashing lightning's play, 
Tall ghostly pines stretch out in dim array ; 
B)' hasty glimpse revealed magnolias high 
In leafy grandeur wave upon the sky. 
Anon, the breathless vault is black a^ain. 
And shyly peeping rise the starry train ; 



43 



Their mellow sparkle steeped in evening dews 

Seems a soft slumbrous spirit to diffuse. 

So sweetly come these handmaids of the moon, 

Who rises from her eastern chamber soon, 

To reign with crescent sceptre in these courts, 

In silence only broke by wakeful mockbird notes. 

Il7w has not that has rocked upon the main 
In distant voyage sighed for tajid again! 
Grand is the ocean when its bittoius bright 
Burst round the keet in phosphorescent tight^ 
And tike the tofty tone of some high psatm 
Its ecJioing roar remembered i?i the catnip 
Its terror gone, but the deep cadence yet 
Rings luith a voice ive never can forget. 
And beaiitifd the deep btiie stretch of seas ^ 
As., att u7ibroken by the breath of breeze^ 
It spreads afar a staintess mirror., given 
For Angel faces that took down from Heaven. 

44 — 



But yet how S7veet at last the smiting shore 
With 7uetcouie''s greeting as the journey '5 o'^erl 
Wlien from the waves grad natty ctear^ 
The ptain and tofty hitt approach more near^ 
And as there steats fresh o''er the briny floods^ 
The incense of the Jtoivery breathing woods. 

Now for the night, Hke sea bird on the deep, 

The bark reposes as the billows sleep ; 

The sail is furled, and whitely gleaming by, 

Rushes the crested wave in lullaby. 

The halyards coiled, and bare beneath the stars, 

Like ghostly skeletons, uprise the spars. 

As first significant with lofty sign 

That here the conquering Cross shall shortly shine, 

Yet hark ! shrill sounding o'er the startled beach, 

With baleful omen rings an owlet's screech ; 

As if a warning, burdened with distress 

Were shrieking poured by some mad prophetess. 

— 45 — 



Unswung, the hammock is foro'otten now, 

And sleepless crowd the crew around the prow. 

And thro' the breathless night in ceaseless watch 

E3'es strain day's first revealing beams to catch. 

So anchored high before the silent fort, 

At morn to echo with the dread report. 

The watching seamen thro' the darkness strain 

To catch the rampart bristling o'er the main ; 

Yet o'er exultant hearts some shadows creep 

To think what graves may yawn within the deep. 

So mingling now with the transporting pla}' 

Of Fancy, dreaming at the brenk of day, 

ForebodiniJ: fears will rise in stoutest heart 

As phantom horrors from the mists upstart ; 

Or from untrodden shores a savage yell 

Seems from the deepening glooms to sound a knell, 

Yet when the da}' all grandly lights the scene, 
High courage stirs the heart of bold marine ; 

46 — 



And now majestic in the sun's tirst beams 
The conquered coast in tranquil beauty gleams. 
Like wearied Pilgrim after ocean's shock, 
Gazing with rapture on gray Pl3^mouth Rock, 
Which shines inviting as his wanderings cease, 
A ston}' stairwa}- to a World of Peace, 
They hail a landscape smiling on the shore. 
All safe sequestered from the ocean's roar. 
The crescent beach half circles in a ba}*. 
In w^rose soft fold the glancing mullet play; 
And myriad sardine shoal here refuge make 
When preying monsters chase them thro' the lake : 
All brightly gleams w^ith gliitering sands the beach, 
And far its softh' curvino- maroins reach. 
Oh! wdio that now^ the placid scene glanced o'er 
Would tell it ere had known the tempest's roar? 
And but for yon high pine despoiled and dead, 
That solitary rears its branchless head. 
Would deem the raging tempest ever smote 
Secluded shore so tranquil and remote? 



47 



Long silent fed the rapt sense upon 
Each charm expanding in the cUmbing sun ; 
At last instinctive, swelling from the throng, 
Saluting rolls the pirates' lofty song : 

Hail Freedom's wild but welcome strand 
That smiles upon the sea, 

Wave long triumphant o'er the land 
The banner of the free ! 

Here let not Persecution tread 

Or Despot voice resound. 
Where Independence wins the bread 

Of Plent3''s fertile ground. 

What tho' repeating gales still bear 

Upon the tell-tale breeze. 
Our country's curses that declare 

Us pirates of the seas. 

48 — 






What 's banishment from T3'rant''s ports, 
Where Vice triumphant sways? 

What 's exile from immoral courts. 

Where Pride is wreathed with ba3's? 

Mere interpose long ocean miles, 

Here dies pursuing blast, 
And kindly Nature cheering smiles 

Forgi\'ing o'er the past. 

Then welcome to the exile's heart 

The free, inviting plain, 
Where all his gloomy fears depart 

And Hope springs fresh again. 



Scarce die the echoes on the placid shores 
When old Pedrillo from the tiagon pom^s 
Another bumper, and, with waving glass. 
Thus drinks farewell to vSpain's forgotten lass 

49 — 




To a forsaken bower which now bewails 

The fleeting lover and the cruel sails. * * * 



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Let 's pledge bra\'e boys to brighter eyes 
That soon will greet us here, 

And drink to lips whose sweeter sighs 
Will wanton with the ear. 

False Madrid maids we Ml then forget, 

AVhen newer loves are kind. 
And ere a dozen suns have set 

Will each a mistress tind. 

Loud rings the laugh, but o'er the chieftain's brow 
,A shadow darkened. Calm, serene till now, 
A chord is touched, which trembles truly 3'et 
To some fond thought the mind can ne'er forget. 
A voice entreating seems to fondlv plead. 
And back his truant heart to gentlv lead 
To a forsaken bower which now bewails 
The fleeting lo\cr and the cruel sails. 
But soon the clouding shadow is dispelled. 
And quick the rising sorrow now is quelled, 

51 



While stern and high ring's out the loud eomrnand^ 

And rapidly the lowering boat is manned. 

"To shore, to shore/' The strong oarsmake replies 

With sweeping strokes, and o'er the water flies 

The boat like arrow, till a steering hand 

Secures her safely on the yielding sand. 

With Plope delirious their elastic feet 

Invade the realm of Promise fair and sweet. 

Nor marked the savage pause ere fatal springs 

The envenomed shaft to try its deadly wings. 

And now from ambush they advance, until 

A challenge sounds in accent strangely shrill : 

But quick, instinctive gesture finds a sign 

To testify the strangers"' friendl}' mind. 

And soon the cautious Indians closer draw, 

Nor longer menace w^ith the show of war. 

To kindlier mood all-wmning tact soon charms, 

And mutual now are banished all alarms ; 

Inspiring flasks impart a genial flow 

And Spanish wine transforms the savage foe. 



52 



The\- watch the bark expand with tackle brave 
And rock majestic on the sweUing wave ; 
And still with signal eloquent the}' ask, 
Whence tiows the Spirit of the magic flask. 




53 



?\i^c;ob^ 




ARCOLA 



Here restful weeks in converse kind are passed, 

And Choctaw idiom is acquired at last ; 

But soon fond dreams of Gold their fancies thrill 

As Legend whispers of a Mystic Hill, 

Which rises softl}-, so the savage tells. 

Where old Chinchuba hospitably dwells, 

A lithe consenting brave assists their plans. 

And offers truidance to the hio-her lands — 



57 



The swiftest yawl is launched, and gaily now 
In Tangipahoa it points a gilded prow. 



The rising orb of day in glory breaks 

When high in bow Alvarez station takes ; 

And brightly towering o'er the wave there shone 

A shell bank, reared as if for Naiad's throne — 

There thro' the centuries it defies the tides 

That break upon its slant and snowy sides ; 

A high memorial piled by savage hand 

When Famine gaunt once walked the stricken land ; 

When parching skies refused the fruitful rain, 

And earth's increase long failed on hill and plain. 

There crowding from the desolated hills, 

The famished horde the winding beach now tills, 

And ocean kindl}^ yields what earth denies. 

And bountiful a store of lish provides. 

The plundered clam and rifled 03'ster shell 

To feed the tribes in heaping banks now swell, 

58 



Till long repeating toils have piled them steep 
In pyramid of shell above the deep. 

The active guide now deftly plies his oar, 
And speeds the yawl from the receding shore ; 
Wide first the inlet mouth appears a bay. 
Descried all dimlv in the early day. 
Hemmed in with tall and ranklv o-rowing; o-rass. 
On either side there spreads a wide morass, 
And as the dipping oars repeat their stroke 
Some lazy grosbeck 's from his nest awoke; 
And tierce and shrill his signal warnings sound 
To all the feathery tribe that there abound. 
The startled wood - duck flies — the zig - zag snipe 
Pours note alarming thro' its slender pipe ; 
The noisy cormorants vociferous shout 
In wild, distracting cries the marsh about ; 
And light and graceful into motion wheel 
To unsurpassed flight the blue-winged teal. 

59 — 



!fBB J BB?Pq? B B /B B ;M fB B'BB?BB?BQ^flB >BB?BB iiB B ? l 

Swift thro' the marshy flat the yawl now speeds 
To where the rising bank is clothed with reeds ; 
And gently narrowing, the gleaming flood 
Shines now in silver pathway thro' the wood, 
Where tower the cypress stalwarts of the swamp, 
Arrayed and bearded in their mossy pomp ; 
Then softly swelHng margins bound the tide. 
And mantling vines rare, luscious clusters hide. 

Anon, the murmuring stream winds 'neath a shade 

Of densel}' bowering trees all darkly made ; 

And sportive in the beechen branches high 

The leaping squirrels hold festivity. 

The frightened raccoon clings to mossy fork. 

And closely hugs the black oak's sheltering bark ; 

And in yon covert, gleaming like a lance, 

The panther darts his cold and deadly glance ; 

And sluggish in the deepest jungle's shade 

The clumsy bear his awful bed has made. 

60 — 







Where tower the cypress stalwarts of trie swamp, 
Arrayed and bearded in their mossy pomp. * * 



Near by, upstarting in affright the deer, 

With doe and dappled fawn their crowns uprear ; 

And solemn sits as hooded monk in cowl 

In his green hermitage the lonely owl — 

The oracle and prophet of the wood. 

Since here his ancient home primeval stood. 

But still as narrowing its crystal tide, 

High flow' ring banks compress on either side, 

And sweet, within the woods, delaying blooms 

Of forest flowers emit their faint perfumes ; 

For autumn now has touched with fingers cold, 

And Midas -like converts the green to gold. 

Ripe, high and luscious, on the hanging vines 

All purpling glow the juicy muscadines ; 

And blushing, as they tempt the hand to rape, 

Wave on the air full clusters of the grape. 

Thus softl}- is the vacant mind beguiled 

In passing thro' the lone unconquered wild ; 

62 



i^^^^StSb^ 



But when the evening beams decHning rest 

On wood, and vale, in x\utumn beaut}' dressed, 

As still the oars compel to higher lands, 

And softer prospect into view expands. 

There subtl}' breathes from opening wood and shade 

The spirit of a haunt where man his home has 

made. 
When boldl}' thro' the wild, forbidding waste, 
The hard}- traveler a path has traced, 
And long encountered in drear scene and rude 
But sight of wilderness and sound of Hood, 
He gladly sees e'en savage hut arise. 
And hears exultant even savage cries. 
So now when lono" thro' ruder nature wendinof. 
Till o'er the scene the o-raceful shades are bending-. 
How welcome is each sign — the golden field 
Of corn, that promises rewarding vield — 
The clearing forest and the verv air. 
Denoting man, tho' savage man. lives there. 

63 



And still how dearer is to each advance 
All soft appearing to delight the glance. 
The tokens sweet that delicate female taste 
Refines with lovel}' hand the drear)- waste ; 
For here are blending with the nati\e bowers 
Detected odors of exotic flowers. 

The taste of Woman ! Oh the magic hand. 
That rules her realm as with a fair\- wand ! 
O'er chaos waves and instant smiles a scene, 
That rises up in charm to bless its Queen. 
Oh! Woman, since ^•ou left Elysian bowers. 
Thy faithful task has been to train the flowers, 
As tho' a portion of lost Eden's doom, 
Condemned th}' hand to win again their bloom. 

But now the eye descries, high and aloof. 
Above the beech trees rise Chinchuba's roof. 
On ridge that green and parallel extends, 
And flanks the river as it northward wends; 

64 — 



And further east a hill's tall, shining crest, 

Flames forth with dying glory of the west ; 

It softly rose in golden sunset sea. 

Laving the border of Eternity 

Where transient clouds seemed touched with sacred 

tire, 
To glow with changing grace ere they expire. 

The strong and patient guide moors fast the yawl 
And sounds upon the air his signal call; 
The stalwart brave decked in barbaric pride 
Descends the slope and greets the Indian guide. 
Few words and signs soon briefly recommend, 
From Choctaw friends below, the ocean friend — 
And quick extended is saluting hand, 
That grasps the pale face welcome to the land. 
Cordial now high, mutual glances range, 
And greeting looks their lofty souls exchange. 
Each, instant reads the signet courage gave 
To character the brows of all the truly brave. 

65 — 



ai 'BB IB'BBfflB'Ba^B B'BBj 



Their tall forms now retreating from the shore, 
Loom in the glade before the opening door, 
Which swings in rustic welcome high and wide. 
And shows the cheerful blazing tire inside. 
Fleet, nimble feet, on hastening errand i\y 
To do as bid by hospitality. 

A^id dost thou here siveet lingering hiniian grace 
Stitt light the hearthstone of the darkened Race^ 
And shine amid the -rood and touch to smite 
The rugged features of the forest chitd t 
Ah! yes: tho' here ~cith no vain trimming ctad 
Thy smiting face beams radiantty gtad ^ 
For even here in this far savage tand^ 
BeJiotd the graceful ministry of thy hand ! 



But didst thou note the new and lovely glow. 
Deep as the- red which blushing doth bestow, 
Which now adorning flushes, and now dies. 
As on the stranger dwelt Halimah's e3'es? 

— 66 



So tall, so fair! supernal graces seem 
Responding to some shape revealed in dream. 

The sold seems iu mysterious depths to keep 
Some stiimbering memories ^vaking in our sleeps 
hnpressions subtly graven of a past 
Whose dim familiar features beam at last. 
And oft our memories do seem to show 
Fantastic images of a long ago^ 
And strangely .^ vaguely haunt us ivith a shore 
Or scene or face ive somewhere saiu before. 



Quick, kindly hands the frugal board prepare. 
And hunger banquets on the homel}^ fare. 
Where juicy roast of venison and fish, 
With forest fruits, are served in earthen dish. 
The added luxury of the Spaniard's wine 
Regales the company that hearty dine ; 
And as more chatty grows the fluent tongue 
To eager ears the stranger's story 's sung: 



67 



''We come from where blue ocean waves high roll 

Upon the coast of Spain, in search of Gold. 

The shining ore which from these coasts we bring 

Is worshipped there as proudest earthly king. 

Crowns bend their jeweled diadems, and dim 

The mitre's lustre doth appear to him; 

Thtoned in the subject's and the prince's mind, 

Such loyalty earth's potentates ne'er find; 

For ne'er magician subtly- charming till 

He works the plastic spirit to his will, 

Has yet with dark and necromantic art 

So strongly to his spell bound fast the heart. 

The sceptre of his sway gleams high and bold, 

And earth bows now obsequious to Gold. 

High o'er the wave which beats my native shore 

A city rises far above its roar ; 

There every art and every science springs. 

As prompting brain and hand, the potent metal rings. 

Equipped and launched from busy sounding docks 

Fleet navies breast the raging ocean's shocks, 

^68 — 




We come from where blue ocean waves high roll 
Upon the coasj of Spain, in search of Gold. * * * 



To bear the tributary wealth of seas, 

The sense to flatter and the mind to please. 

On lofty heights high crowned castles rise, 

And gilded palace domes pierce thro' the skies. 

Ransacked Arabia yields her rare perfume, 

And gardens there are forced to tropic bloom ; 

Luxurious courts, ablaze with varied lights 

And voluptuous with music's soft delights, 

Their revels keep, touched into charm by Gold, 

Which here unconscious these high hills may hold. 

*'Even genius servile flatters as he nods, 
And poetry abjures her former gods. 
Wreathes iv}- chaplets on his glistering brow. 
And breathes in l^ric sweetness her soft vow. 
Obedient pencils touch as he commands, 
And sacred canvas lit by artist- hands, 
Ideal glows with beaut}' freshly born 
The high and frescoed chamber to adorn. 

— 7o — 



Sculpture's creative eye, at his behest. 
Disturbs the marble's white and placid rest. 
To chisel into life some laughing grace 
Thnt long lay sleeping in the stone's embrace. 
Such power has Gold, whose secret shrines so bright 
Are hid profoundly in rude nature's night. 
When over boisterous sea man Ion©- has toiled 
And still his step by rugged coast is foiled, 
And ever}' horror seems to hedge the prize 
With dragon guard from his pursuing eyes ; 
Yet should the fairy realm but ope the door., 
Forgotten are the pains endured before ; 
For honor high and proud distinction wait, 
With wreath uplifted now to crown him ofreat." 

As thus he ended, old Chinchuba's face ' 

Grew dark and serious, but resumed its o-race. 
As kind, but firmly ere they part for rest, 
1'hese ominous words are to his ear addressed r 

71 



'■' Right welcome, stranger, to our siiuple cheer, 

Which scant but hearty we can offer here ; 

All freely tendered is our ample ground, 

Where deer and bear and other game abound — 

There freely wander as our savage child 

In the unfettered freedom of the wild. 

Make in our shelter your secure repose 

Safe guarded here from beast, or human foes. 

Still at our board the welcome place assume. 

When quiet wigwam life thou wouldst resume. 

But" — here all sternly glanced his kindling eye- 

'• One spot forego to enter, or 3'ou die. 

By that strong tie which binds the host to guard 

The guest from danger, and from harm to ward, 

I warn vou as you rove at freedom's will, 

To dare not enter yonder sacred hill. 

The arini and solemn Genius of our Race 

Keeps holy vigil in that gloomy place. 

And the intruding steps resents in wrath 

That dares confront him in the circling path 

— 72 — 



i;BBiBB;Ba M BB; B B; B BBB .BB^ gB7WTl ff7M T lg^ 

He makes about the consecrated hill, 
.Whose hollow, bones of perished tribes do tilL" 

The warning falls, and solemn now^ but kind, 

He bids his startled guest compose his mind 

With slumber, till the loudly sounding horn 

Shall summon to the chase at earl}' morn. 

Now serious ere retiring, o'er the chance 

Of that eventful eve he broods. The glance — 

The voice of old Chinchuba echoing still 

With fatal warning of the Mystic Hill 

All fire his mind with anxious thought oppressed, 

And vain he wooes deserting slumber's rest. 

Now fancy would recall Halimah's grace, 

Her flattering secret blushing in her face, 

And then would muse on bower which still bewails. 

The fleeting lover and the cruel sails. 

But vain ! resistless, conquering the will, 
Unbidden thought arises of the Hill, 

73 — 



I ?M>'HH; BB ? B B.BH B H ?BB.HBiBB?eB/BB?BBJ B B'D B ;l 

And shining there before his eye unrolled. 
Lies gleaming treasure of the realm of gold. 
His dauntless mind spurns superstitious tale, 
Of vengeful demon guarding sacred pale ; 
And now as by strange fascination led, 
He rises from his tossed, uneasy bed. 

Without are starr}' heavens, serene and fair. 
And scarce a murmur trembles in the air. 
The moon to zenith risen all tranquil glides 
And fatal to the Hill his footstep guides. 
Unawed before, the solemn mien and air 
Of old Chinchuba are remembered there ; 
And every chill and nipping touch of dew, 
Seems all unwonted here to pierce him through. 
But shall the valiant soul that braves a storm. 
Shake at a wild, fantastical alarm. 
That grim and niarrowless ghost infests the place, 
As siuardian o-oblin of a buried race? 

74 



His halting spirit soon its tone resumes. 

As soft and shadow}' beam the seene iHumes ; 

A nimble foot upon the rising mound 

Is planted, vet all silent sleeps the ground. 

*■' Sure," thought Alvarez, '"idle tongues have lied. 

That tell in place so sweet ghost would abide." 

He presses firmly now with step more bold, 
Till high, as if by man it had been rolled, 
A huge and moss-grown rock appears to close 
A cavern's mouth. But quick aside he throws 
The stone obstruction ; and to light his march 
Within the dreary tunnel, bears a torch ; 
Wide and high and gloomv rise the walls. 
As made for weird and ghostlv goblin balls. 
Still as he presses, sudden to his eye, 
A spacious rock}' chamber glitters high ; 
With gleaming arch and brightlv shining side, 
It seemed to flame in wondrous golden pride. 

75 — 



I f— jBa^tf 

Alvarez spell -bound halts while fancy thickens 
And pulse with thought unutterable quickens. 
"Ah, here's the secret of the Mystic Hill, 
And these the phantoms that its hollows till. 
All welcome terrors, come ye in such form. 
The high exulting fancy so to warm, 
With vision of a wealth more proudl}' grand, 
Than loads the piled vaults of my rich land." 
Still as he rapturous gazed at dazzling walls. 
The gloomy passage echoes with footfalls ; 
And as the bodeful sounds more near advance, 
With horror chilled he backward turns his glance. 
And diml}/ lighted by the torch's glare. 
He shuddering sees a figure groping there. 
In vain he seeks the bounding pulse to still : 
Behold ! the Genius of the Mystic Hill ! 

Still groping onward, the tall figure now 
Sudden reveals Chinchuba's stately brow ; 

76 — 



I ■« I ) I ■« I mm I BtflU !:■« I M I Ur I M I •<■ I M I B* I bfl I M 



Not beaming with the aspect late so kind, 
But bristhng fiercely with determined mind. 
He sternly now surveys his startled guest, 
With dark foreboding direful oppressed, 
And slow and ominous his speech now falls, 
As echoed by the golden, gleaming walls. 

" I am the Genius of the Mystic Hill, 
In solemn watch to guard its portals still ! 
When in my wigwam thou hast known this hand 
To cordial welcome stranger to our land ; 
By solemn warning I ha\'e sought to stay 
Your feet when fatal the}' might careless stray. 
The secret of this richly shining ore, 
Must never pass be3'ond our happ}' shore, 
To blast our native wilds with conquering bands ^ 
To drive us from our far sequestered lands. 
On high, Chinchuba's oath 's recorded long — 
And stranger thou must join the silent throng y 

— 77 — 



Alvarez long his stalwart stature eved. 
Then half contemptuous tho' sad replied : 
" I could not tind a tomb more grandh- bright. 
Than here is hewn, lit with gold stalactite, 
While ever cheering the cold sepulchre. 
A costlv splendor glitters noblv here : 
Not in more pomp Egvptian king could lest. 
With lofty pyramid above his breast. 
Than here magnificence with golden cave 
Has furnished forth a rich and princelv grave. 
And if the gatheri-ng furv of thv brow 
Means peace has passed forever from it now. 
And thou art bent thv bloodv oath to keep. 
As foe 1 raise a blade which else would sleep 
Unstained in sheath ; nor flashed but to defend 
Mv honor, life, or interest of mv friend." 

Their weapons flash on high, and grim and tall 
As shown b}' torchlight planted in the wall, 

78 — 




The Spaniard's tender unnerved mood is caught, 
And crashing cleaves the hatchet to his heart. * 



Their faces gleam in wild unnatural palor, 
Confronted in the deadly match of valor. 
The graceful Spaniard aimed unerring blade ; 
The wily Indian artful parry made ; 
And equal long and furious raged the light, 
In such arena lit by torch's light. 

And Spanish nerve and skill were sure to win, 

When suddenly, above the battle's din, 

A wild cry pierces thro' the ringing walls, 

And prostrate at their feet Halimah falls. 

Alvarez could not, gazing on her charm, 

Direct his blade against the father's form ; 

But quick his foe. relentless, at a glance 

Beheld advantage, and the lucky chance. 

The Spaniard's tender, unnerved mood is caught, 

And crashing cleaves the hatchet to his heart. 

The firm face quivers and the senses fade: 

He reels, embracing as he dies the maid. 

— 80 



And the mysterious, ghastl}' golden hill, 
Its midnight secret dark is keeping still ; 
And unexplored is still the precious mine, 
Whose golden chambers all unseen do shine; 
And sadly murmuring the lucent wave 
Sobs where Halimah rashly made her grave ; 
And still the Spanish bower all loud bewails 
The fleeting lover's unreturning sails. 

* * * ^ 

Thus ends the Spirit her pathetic tate^ 

And vanishes in misty tTvitighf s veit • 

And ghostty face of savage seems to scoivt ; 

From forest depth shritt shrieks tJie dismat ovjt , 

And touching into deivy grief the sky 

Ri Jigs far the Indian maiden'' s phrensied cry: 

He % % H; 
81 



Oh ! cruel realm of shadows show 
Where thou dost hide 1113- love ! 

Is he enchained in wave below. 
Or in blue deeps above? 

Say envious reef with coral dyed, 
Dost thou fear pale eclipse, 

And wouldst thou deepen th}- red pride 
With his carnation lips? 

Oh! bank of blue, piled in. the dome 

Of overarching sk)-, 
Say, hast thou garnished angels' home 

With lustre of his eye? 

Lend me, fair river sprite, thy shell, 
And light m}' wa}' with smile, 

And I will pierce each secret cell. 
And wake each silent aisle, 

82 



And win him back to where my bower 
Awaits with fragrant charms, 

To lay him with a subtle power 
Re\'ivecl within my arms. 




83 



I 



